How we formulate
Hi, I'm Angela. I formulate everything Silver Stone Apothecary makes.
Every ingredient and every packaging choice goes through the same three questions: is it safe, does it work, and is it sustainable. If something doesn't make the product meaningfully better, it probably doesn't need to be there.
We don't formulate by buzzword
Natural ingredients can be great, and so can modern cosmetic chemistry. We actively look for plant-derived alternatives to petroleum and animal-derived ingredients, and if we find one that works as well or better, that's the one we want. We'll pay more for it.
But the formula still has to perform. We're not going to make a gel that falls apart in humidity or a conditioner that doesn't properly condition just to make the ingredient list sound prettier.
An ingredient name doesn't tell you much on its own
Safety depends on how much of an ingredient is being used, what the data says at that concentration, how it's applied, and how it behaves in the finished formula.
If an ingredient raises a concern, I dig into it. If there's an equally effective alternative I feel better about, we'll switch. And if the evidence supports what we're already using, I promise I am able to explain why.
Curls need different things
Some curls soak up rich conditioners and oils. Others go limp the second you give them too much. Some need more protein and structure, some need less, and your scalp can need something completely different from the rest of your hair.
That's why our products aren't designed as rigid matching sets. You might need a shampoo for an oily scalp, a richer conditioner for dry ends, and a lightweight styler that won't flatten your curls. That's normal, and we formulate so you can find that balance.
We make what we formulate
We choose the raw materials, develop the formulas, make the batches, and see how the finished products behave in the real world. Everything is made in our own shop in Oregon.
That gives us control over quality and consistency, and it means when we find a better way to formulate something, we can actually make the change. We hear from customers constantly, at markets and in reviews, and that goes straight back into the next batch.
Less waste, where it makes sense
Packaging is one of the most obvious sources of waste in personal care. It's why we make concentrated shampoo and conditioner bars, why we added refill pouches for our stylers, and why we keep looking for ways to use less packaging without making the product harder to use or protect. We prefer domestic sourcing when we can get the quality we need closer to home.
There's always more we could improve. We'd rather keep working on the things that make a real difference than pretend we've made a perfectly sustainable product.
The finished product is what matters
Safe, effective, sustainable. Every ingredient has to earn its place against all three, and I want to know exactly why each one is there and what it contributes.
Our Sustainability Method
SOLID SHAMPOOS & CONDITIONERS
Each bar is concentrated and equal to about 24 oz of liquid shampoo and conditioner. They are packaged in paperboard that is made and printed in Springfield, Oregon, keeping this part of our supply chain super local.
Styling Products in Glass Jars
All three of our styling products are packaged in a USA-made glass jar with an aluminum lid. These can be recycled, repurposed, or reused over and over again with our refill option.
Refill Pouches
Each pouch contains 32 oz and can refill a full-size glass styling jar 4 times. Using these pouches cuts down on overall packaging consumption and emissions from multiple shipments. The pouches can be returned to us to be recycled through TerraCycle.